Twin River Casino hosted its third annual New England Tequila & Rum Festival, a four-day celebration of special events, live entertainment, food pairings, seminars, cocktail competitions and product samplings.The festival began on May 3 with a blind rum tasting competition for beverage professionals followed by a Don Julio Tequila Cocktail Competition at Lighthouse Bar. On May 4, sugarcane and agave seminars educated participants and later Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse hosted a Diplomatico Rum Premier Dinner. On May 5, Twin River Casino hosted various Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Shipyard Pub. The event concluded with the grand tasting on May 6, where more than 30 different tequila, rum, mezcal and beer products were represented. Russell Davis from Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue” served as the day’s emcee. The Don Julio Tequila “Bar Wars Cocktail Competition” and the Chairman’s Reserve Rum Mai Tai Competition featuring regional bartenders from Maine to New York were also event highlights. Twin River Casino donated $5 of every ticket sold to the Johnson & Wales University Fellowship program.
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- Frank Martucci, General Manager of Beverage Operations, Twin River Casino and Russell Davis of Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue,” who served as the event emcee for the third annual New England Tequila & Rum Festival.
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- Third-generation Master Distiller Gary Nelthropp, Cruzan Rum.
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- Daniel E. Scully, Jr., President and CEO, Hotel California Tequila.
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- Patrick Stevens, Sales Representative, Johnson Bros. and Shawna Dietz, On-Premise Sales Representative and Premium Portfolio Specialist, Johnson Bros.
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- Candice Dritschler with Gary Dritschler, State Manager CT and RI, Campari America.
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- Caroline Abbott, Boston Market Manager, Inspired Beverage; Maeghan Kleinerman, Account Development Specialist, Inspired Beverage; Alexei Beratis, President, Inspired Beverage.
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- Joe Landolfi, Brand Manager, Market St. Spirits and Jen Murphy, Promotions, Shipwreck Rum.
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- Mike Devaney and Corey Bailey, Sales, Horizon Beverage Company with Casa Noble Tequila.
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- Brent Ryan, Co-founder, Newport Storm Brewery and Thomas Tew Rum.
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- Mickey Amphonedara, Sales, MS Walker with the Diplomatico Rum line.
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- Kayleigh Speck, Vice President, United States Bartenders, Guild Rhode Island (USBG RI) chapter with Clement Rum.
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- Abbi Miller and Ed Goll, The Real McCoy Rum.
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- Steven Gubb, Owner, Gubba Rum.
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- Sean Whittle and Brian Coleman, Sales, MS Walker.
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- Chairman’s Reserve Rum.
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- Roca Patron
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- Amanda Pekar, Patron Portfolio Manager, Connecticut Distributors Inc., and Josh Pekar, USBG CT member representing Patron Spirits.
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- Dave Montoya, Sales, MS Walker.
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- Lunazul Tequila.
